Mavs GM Nico Harrison discusses Doncic trade: “Defense wins championships”

Dallas Mavericks GM Nico Harrison and ESPN’s Tim MacMahon commented on Luka Doncic’s trade to the Los Angeles Lakers.

By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net

The ground is still trembling after news broke that the Dallas Mavericks traded their 25-year-old franchise superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.

They acquired Anthony Davis in the move, and Mavs GM Nico Harrison spoke to ESPN about his motivation for making the trade.

“I believe that defense wins championships. I believe that getting an All-Defensive center and an All-NBA player with a defensive mindset gives us a better chance. We’re built to win now and in the future,” Harrison told Tim MacMahon.

MacMahon also shared his insights on Dallas’ reasoning behind one of the biggest NBA trades ever.

“Luka has always been extremely competitive within those 48 minutes on the court. The Mavericks, however, were frustrated. Frankly, they felt like investing in him was going to be a diminishing return because of his lack of competitiveness off the court—his lack of willingness to make the year-round, around-the-clock commitment required to be the face of an NBA franchise. Yes, he has an amazing ability to put up huge numbers while playing his way into shape. But ultimately, the Mavericks did not believe that Luka Dončić was going to lead them to a championship. And that led to this shocking trade,” MacMahon explained.